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Not Eating #1419103
01/15/19 03:42 PM
01/15/19 03:42 PM
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 20
North Carolina
Cuervosun Offline OP
In Pouch
Cuervosun  Offline OP
In Pouch

Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 20
North Carolina
First time mommy here so forgive me if I'm asking dumb questions. And I know this is long - sorry about that too.

I got my first two gliders two days ago - sisters, 8 weeks OOP. I'm feeding CritterLove Complete. In an effort to give them variation, I decided to offer them two options for salads - I made up two weeks worth of both salad #1 and salad #5, that way M-W-F they would get salad #1, and the other days they'd get salad #5. So far, it doesn't look like they've touched either salad choice since they got here. Additionally, one glider is noticeably bigger and more outgoing than the other, and is a total bully about stealing treats from the little one - like full on attack. I'm concerned that may mean she's guarding the food as well. So far, the squabbling over food hasn't resulted in outward signs - all fur is intact, etc.

I started out putting their salad bowl in a kitchen to try and contain some of the mess, but in hopes of foiling any guarding behaviors, I'm using two separate kitchens now. (I know the trick to hindering food guarding in a dog is to have several food bowls as the dog can't guard everything at once...I was hoping the same logic would apply here)

It's worth noting the situation I encountered when I picked them up from the breeder, which was VERY different than when we decided to buy from her: the breeder was out of town and had been for several weeks. In the interim, her daughter was caring for the gliders. Well, when we came to pick up the girls from the daughter's house, they were in a VERY small cage housing 4 gliders. Like 2x3 small. It also didn't look like it had been cleaned in weeks. Literally. The stench smacked you in the face when the door to the room was opened. Added to that, the daughter had apparently been feeding them and little else - she had no idea which gliders we were picking up, was completely unwilling to handle any of the gliders - even mommy and daddy who were obviously very used to people - daddy was super friendly actually. That left my husband and I chasing and cornering gliders for an hour trying to get our girls in a travel pouch. We succeeded - minus some skin. At least now I don't have to be afraid of getting bit...that's been covered lol. Certainly not the first impression I wanted to make with our girls, but we did the best we could and they're now in a safe and calm environment.

My questions: Is it possible the food aggression will lesson now that they're not in a "survival of the fittest" environment? How long does it normally take to adjust to a new diet? How long does it take to discern if this is just an adjustment period or if they truly won't eat the salads? When should I worry?

**Worth mentioning: I've largely left them alone to adjust to their new surroundings and they do seem like they love their new home. They aren't crabbing at us unless they hear me messing in the cage too close to their pouch when they're sleeping - other than that, no crabbing. They're already coming up to the door of the cage when they hear me. They're eating treats out of my hands, albeit cautiously. And they're treating their cage like an amusement park lol (Congo cage). I'm trying to respect their boundaries and not ask any more than they're willing to give at this point. Personally, I'm super happy with our progress so far. They don't seem to be holding a grudge over the whole "I crammed you in a travel pouch" thing lol. My plan was to keep up with the same for a few more days, then start using a bonding pouch.

Any thoughts/ideas would be much appreciated!


Mom to Thelma & Louise
Current Research, Studies & Resources
Re: Not Eating [Re: Cuervosun] #1419105
01/15/19 04:33 PM
01/15/19 04:33 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,305
SW Missouri USA
Ladymagyver Offline
Moderator
Ladymagyver  Offline
Moderator

Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,305
SW Missouri USA
Since they are young, the portions may be too big. Have you looked through the salad closely? They will hull them and take out the middle of peas and green beans. They only eat the insoluble parts. Carrots are usually just chewed on to remove the juices.

What kind of water source do you have?

If you have a digital kitchen scale that weighs grams, you can also weigh their dishes before and after they eat. Keep a journal for a few weeks.

Do you have any fleece to cut up into 4" square blankies? These should be tucked under your pillow to get your scent and place them in their sleeping pouch. They will sleep with your scent and get used to you.


Dawn

Be patient,
and
Trust your journey....

Grace :bb:

Ruby :grey:

Mom :grey:

Dad :grey:




Fiona, Dot and Stewie :rbridge: wish I could turn back time... Miss you

Re: Not Eating [Re: Cuervosun] #1419107
01/15/19 07:07 PM
01/15/19 07:07 PM
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 20
North Carolina
Cuervosun Offline OP
In Pouch
Cuervosun  Offline OP
In Pouch

Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 20
North Carolina
Wow. Thanks. I never thought about the hulling - I'll make sure to check. I do have a scale and will definitely check consumption that way as well. I'll use the fleece squares too - good idea.

I'm on well water - we installed a pretty serious whole house filtration system a few months ago so I'm comfortable the water's good. I've got grandkids here all the time so I'm super paranoid about the water lol.

Any thoughts on the food aggression?

Thanks!


Mom to Thelma & Louise
Re: Not Eating [Re: Cuervosun] #1419108
01/15/19 07:33 PM
01/15/19 07:33 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,305
SW Missouri USA
Ladymagyver Offline
Moderator
Ladymagyver  Offline
Moderator

Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,305
SW Missouri USA
The kitchens should be at different levels. Or use 1 kitchen and then use the dishes that should have come with the cage higher than floor level. Preferably out of sight from the kitchen.


Dawn

Be patient,
and
Trust your journey....

Grace :bb:

Ruby :grey:

Mom :grey:

Dad :grey:




Fiona, Dot and Stewie :rbridge: wish I could turn back time... Miss you

Re: Not Eating [Re: Cuervosun] #1419126
01/19/19 12:25 AM
01/19/19 12:25 AM
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 379
Ada OK
Claralice Offline
Glider Lover
Claralice  Offline
Glider Lover

Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 379
Ada OK
I have four gliders between six months and twoish years old. They eat all the critterlove every time! They eat most of their salads but will pick out favorites-like green beans. I initially thought they were not eating the green beans but picked one up and hollowed out by my babies. Yours are young as previously stated and will eventually likely eat all their food.


Freddie and Barnabus Caramel neutered males
Re: Not Eating [Re: Cuervosun] #1419247
01/29/19 12:34 PM
01/29/19 12:34 PM
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 20
North Carolina
Cuervosun Offline OP
In Pouch
Cuervosun  Offline OP
In Pouch

Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 20
North Carolina
Just an update: the advice was much appreciated! Turns out they didn't love my super filtrated well water lol. I've switched them to bottled water and they're drinking great. I also stopped using the kitchens completely for now and am using two "no mess" feeders from Exotic Nutrition placed at different levels. Everyone's eating beautifully. smile


Mom to Thelma & Louise
Re: Not Eating [Re: Cuervosun] #1419248
01/29/19 01:13 PM
01/29/19 01:13 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,305
SW Missouri USA
Ladymagyver Offline
Moderator
Ladymagyver  Offline
Moderator

Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,305
SW Missouri USA
thumb great news!!!

Thanks for the update!


Dawn

Be patient,
and
Trust your journey....

Grace :bb:

Ruby :grey:

Mom :grey:

Dad :grey:




Fiona, Dot and Stewie :rbridge: wish I could turn back time... Miss you

Re: Not Eating [Re: Cuervosun] #1419250
01/29/19 01:39 PM
01/29/19 01:39 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,979
Wisconsin
Feather Offline
Administrator
Feather  Offline
Administrator

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,979
Wisconsin
thumb


Kimberley
Feathers-Sweetie, Mister Peanut & Big Mack
Fur-Guinan, Mr. Spock, T'Mir, Cho, Toothless, Maverick & Maharet :bb: T'Pol, Elizabeth & Curzon :wfb: TY, TJ, Light Fury, Madison & T'Pring :rtmo:
Forever in my heart, Gizmo, Tucker, Khayman and the rest of my babies over the :rbridge:


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